Chapter 24 The third section loves the motherland

Lee Kong Chian only lived and studied in the motherland for more than ten years when he was a teenager. His career and contributions were mainly in the country of residence, and he became a citizen of Singapore in his later years.But he is very fond of his native country. In October 1993, on the 100th anniversary of Lee Kong Chian's birth, the "Lee Kong Chian Academic Symposium" was held in Fujian.One of his right-hand assistants said at the meeting: "He cares about the motherland all the time. If the motherland is politically stable and the economy is better, he is happy; if there is something wrong with the motherland, he is troubled. During the Korean War If the U.S. military wins, Mr. Guangqian will not be able to eat or sleep; if China wins, he will laugh heartily. It shows how deep his feelings for the motherland are!" Caring and loving the motherland, setting up educational public welfare undertakings in his hometown , which are some chapters in Lee Kong Chian's brilliant life.

When the Anti-Japanese War broke out in 1937, Lee Kong Chian immediately joined the overseas Chinese Anti-Japanese National Salvation Movement.He actively supported Tan Kah Kee to lead the anti-Japanese fundraising work, and took the lead in donating 100,000 yuan. In October 1938, the "Southern Overseas Chinese Association" was established. He participated in the preparation and was elected as a standing committee member, and took the lead in subscribing for a large amount of public bonds. Lee Kong Chian gave great support to Xiamen University and Jimei School founded by Tan Kah Kee.Especially after the 1930s, Tan Kah Kee's enterprises suffered losses year after year, and it was difficult for Tan Kah Kee to maintain the funds for the two schools.At this time, many overseas Chinese entrepreneurs, including Lee Kong Chian, donated charcoal in a timely manner, generously donated money, and supported Tan Kah Kee's feat of "spending his family and starting a school". For example, in 1936, he donated 50,000 yuan to Tan Kah Kee to establish a fund to support Xiamen University. Accounted for 37.5% of the donations. In 1950, in order to restore and expand the Jimei School and Xiamen University that were damaged by artillery fire, Lee Kong Chian responded to Tan Kah Kee's solicitation and generously donated 6 million Hong Kong dollars.Beginning in 1951, Tan Kah Kee used Lee Kong Chian's donation to expand Xiamen University in eight years. A total of 24 buildings were built, with a total construction area equal to twice the construction area of ​​the whole school before liberation.Tan Kah Kee was once known as the "master" of Xiamen University. He devoted himself to the founding and development of Xiamen University, and Lee Kong Chian also made indelible contributions to the development of Xiamen University.

While devoting himself to the education of Singapore and Malaya, and actively supporting Tan Kah Kee’s school-building activities, since 1939, he has solely funded the establishment of “Guozhuan Primary School” and “Guoguang Middle School” in Furong Township, Nan’an, Fujian Province. When he founded Guoguang Middle School in 1943, he was in exile in the United States. His property in Southeast Asia had been confiscated by Japan as "enemy property". The economic situation was difficult, and he sold his clothes to raise funds for the school.After the founding of New China, he decided to expand Guoguang Middle School, and invited Tan Kah Kee to plan the site selection.After several years of hard work, a "Meishan School Village" centered on Guoguang Middle School was finally built.The school village is located on the barren slope called "Daewoo Mountain", covering an area of ​​500 mu. It not only built the new school building of Guoguang Middle School, but also built four primary schools, kindergartens and supporting hospitals, theaters and stadiums, with a total construction area of ​​70,000 square meters. Yu square meters.For the construction of Meishan School Village, he donated a total of more than 4 million yuan.Meishan School Village has not only cultivated a lot of talents, but with the improvement of people's quality, Meishan Town, which was formed starting from the School Village, has also become a civilized and prosperous hometown of overseas Chinese.

A person who was familiar with Lee Kong Chian once said: "For social welfare undertakings, Mr. Lee Kong Chian often spends a lot of money without hesitation. But in terms of personal life, Lee Kong Chian is very self-denying." Before the age of 60, he had donated blood 18 times without compensation, and his family He persuaded him: "You can just give money to others, why do you have to risk your life?" But he said: "He is going to die today, if there is no blood, he will die immediately. But we can eat slowly, and blood can be used in emergencies." Losing people can save people. We want to be an example for others to look at, otherwise who would be willing to donate blood?" He thinks a lot about others and the society, and he is willing to "bleed".He was almost perversely exacting about his own life. When he went sightseeing in Japan in 1958, he actually took public transportation and ate at the student canteen with Malaya students studying in Japan, which surprised the Japanese. In 1965, he went to Shanghai for treatment due to cancer. When he had a comprehensive physical examination, he was found to have "malnutrition"!Dedication and self-denial, this is the charm of Lee Kong Chian.What he left to future generations is not only a multinational enterprise group, but also an immortal spirit.People will always remember him.